The impact of wildfire smoke on birth defects during pregnancy
Official title: Wildfire Smoke Exposure in Pregnancy and Risk of Structural Birth Defects
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10829484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in wildfire smoke while pregnant might raise the chances of having a baby with certain birth defects, and it's for expectant moms who want to know more about the risks of smoke exposure during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 17, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $214,373 |
| NIH project number | 5R21ES035127-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10829484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals living in areas affected by wildfire smoke, particularly in California.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those living in areas with minimal wildfire smoke exposure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy may increase the risk of structural birth defects in newborns. By analyzing data from large population-based studies, the researchers will assess the relationship between smoke exposure and various birth defects, focusing on critical periods of pregnancy. The study will utilize detailed metrics of wildfire smoke exposure, air quality, and maternal housing conditions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks involved.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for protecting pregnant individuals from environmental hazards, potentially reducing the incidence of birth defects.
How similar studies have gone: While few studies have explored this specific relationship, the approach of using detailed exposure metrics and large datasets has shown promise in related environmental health research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padula, Amy Michelle — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Padula, Amy Michelle
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.